About Us

DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance was founded in 1997

DNA, is a volunteer, 501c3 organization. DNA was founded initially with one goal, to protect our historic existing structures and those members currently residing in those structures, but over time we have expanded our mission to include new members and new structures to our ever growing community.

Helping an ever growing community

DNA advocated for a new loft law in order to protect artists who have resided in our community for years. In September 1998 DNA was awarded a sizeable grant from the Preservation League of New York State, in conjunction with the Historic District Council, to conduct the necessary research. The architectural historian Andrew Dolkart (for the DUMBO Industrial Historic District) conducted the research and as a result, in 2000, DUMBO was the placed on the State and National Registers. Unfortunately, this important honor on paper, offered little if any real protection and as a result, DUMBO lost too many important buildings on Water, York, Front and Adams Streets respectively.

Continuing Community and Preservation

In 2007,The National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the Brooklyn Industrial Waterfront on their “11 Most Endangered Sites in America”. Preservationists asserted that the manufacturing buildings on the waterfront be used for new purposes. These buildings had value for the working waterfront, industrial retention and our immigrant history. Also in 2007, DNA’s advocacy led to the DUMBO Historic District becoming NYC’s 90th historic district, finally giving us landmark protection. In 2010, a new Loft law was finally passed into law, and while too late to help many existing DUMBO artists, it did save and protect 6 buildings and its residents. DNA believes real affordable housing can coexist and thrive within an historic district.

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Photo of Historic Districts Council 2008 Grassroots Award

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DUMBO Neighborhood History 1796-NOW

Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass

DUMBO, an acronym for “Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass”, covers a sixteen block area running between the Fulton ferry historic district and the Vinegar Hill historic district and then extending from the East River to the NE and York Street to the SW. DUMBO is a true historical gem: unique streets still embedded with tracks from the Jay Street Connecting Railroad (which ceased operation in 1958); world-class unobstructed views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline and its strong historical sense of maritime and industrial times long past.

1796-1850

The DUMBO waterfront was physically shaped by three landfill campaigns. The first, in 1796, established Water Street as the main artery of the neighborhood. Two other landfill operations followed in 1836 and 1850, establishing the shoreline as it still exists today. . Among the first commercial enterprises in the late 18th century was the Sand Brothers rigging and cable operation, which serviced the company’s fleet of ships. The US government sold the Sand Brothers the land, (a former tobacco plantation), which had been confiscated from the Tory loyalist John Rapailie, who had fled to England after the Revolutionary War. The Sands Brothers called their land “ Olympia”, believing it was to be the new successful city due to its prime waterfront location. The brothers wrote of its “pure and salubrious atmosphere, excellent spring water, good society, and it’s natural soil.”

1814-1883

Black and white archived photo of the Empire Stores Building, Built in 1886 Photo Credit: NYPL

Empire Stores Building, Built in 1868 Photo Credit: NYPL

In 1814, the first steam powered ferry made its Brooklyn debut, bringing a constant flow of traffic that fed the residential and commercial growth. With access to ships on water, and later a rail line running through Water Street, the area became a hub for commercial and manufacturing activity and was built up with massive brick warehouses and factories. In 1849, with anxious anticipation of the great suspension bridge, coined the area’s eastern border, “Bridge Street” was born. Nineteenth century records show brick stables and foundries, as well as numerous small frame houses with stores on the ground floors.

1883-NOW

In 1883, when the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge led to the discontinuation of the ferry service, thwarting the prominence of the Fulton Landing, the growth and development of the area’s industry and commerce began to decline considerably. While the 1909 completion of the Manhattan Bridge helped to define DUMBO as an area tucked under the bridge anchorage, with remarkably majestic views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, the slow decline of DUMBO being utilized as a manufacturing hub, continued into the mid 1900s. Additionally, with the construction of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, as well as the creation of Cadman Plaza in the 1950s, DUMBO became physically sealed off from the rest of Brooklyn to the south. It was for these reasons that so much of the original fabric of DUMBO survived until 1985.

Among the architects whose commercial and industrial buildings can still be found here are w. Grant, F.H Hutton, Edward N. Stone, and William S. Tubby. Subtle details, including arched carriage entrances, brick and masonry quoins, articulated cornices and lintels, decorative tie-ends, brick pilasters and arched fenestrations, reflect a respect for industry since lost and a time past.